Tanner

Vallejo

The special teams ace joins the Vikings for his seventh professional season, the previous three plus of which were spent as a member of the Cardinals. He started seven games over the preceding two seasons in Arizona due to injuries and provides the Vikings with a viable depth piece in addition to his work on special teams.

Vallejo played just 95 snaps on defense in 2020 but is a core special teamer for Arizona. The 26-year-old has been with the Cardinals for 1.5 seasons.

Claimed off waivers from the Browns in February, Vallejo was used heavily in the preseason, which is never a good sign for someone trying to make an active roster. He will be added to someone’s practice squad with hopes of competing for a spot on the 53-man.

The Browns made the strange decision to waive Vallejo one day after the Super Bowl, and the Cardinals used their No. 1 waiver priority to take a flier. 24-year-old Vallejo was not an asset last season, but the talent-bereft Cardinals will see if he can take a step forward this offseason.

Even if Vallejo wasn’t in the Browns’ 2019 plans, the day after the Super Bowl is bizarre timing to waive a player who made 13 2018 appearances, including one start. Vallejo played 145 rough snaps. He will be added to someone’s 90-man roster with the opportunity to compete for a spot on the 53-man.

Vallejo was rumored to have drawn interest from the Carolina Panthers, so it is only fitting former Panthers coordinator Sean McDermott picks him up. McDermott is trying to add athleticism and speed to his linebacker position here. Vallejo missed a bulk of time at Boise State and tested in at 44th percentile.

Coach Sean McDermott labeled him week to week. The injury could allow the Bills to stash the sixth-rounder on injured reserve.